[[File:Orem City Center.jpg|thumb|right|400px]]{{Wikipedia|Orem, Utah}}Orem was once called the [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html Provo Bench]. Provo and Orem’s early history are intertwined. Attempts were made to settle Orem in the 1850’s but lack of water slowed down it’s growth. <ref> [http://www.orem.org/historical-sites-mainmenu-347 Orem History] </ref> After a series of canals were made, the area became populated with many fertile fruit orchards and farmlands giving the Provo Bench the early reputation as the [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html “Garden City Of Utah”]. Homesteads settled along the territorial highway which is now State Street. Instead of the grid system for laying out a city as was popular in Utah, the roads crisscrossed the rural area connecting the farms, homes and orchards. <ref> [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html “Garden City Of Utah”] </ref>

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A railroad line was built through the Provo Bench by Walter C. Orem. To honor him the community was named “Orem” and incorporated on May 5, 1919. With WII came the call for steel and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Steel Geneva Steel] was there to fill that need.

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In 1943, the Utah Farm Labor Association in cooperation with the State of Utah built a l[http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/image_2ae9e4d3-60be-5fb1-a355-1d290e73cd8b.html labor camp] at a five acre cite. The first occupants of the camp displaced Japanese-Americans from the [http://www.topazmuseum.org/ Topaz Relocation Camp]. They were employed in farmers in Orem and Utah County. The fall of 1944 brought in 60 Italian Prisoners of war. They built on the labor camp and worked in the local farms. They were all eventually replaced with [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/article_359b9979-cc1e-5cd7-8fba-c68089502c8a.html 340 German prisoners of war] who continued to work for the farmers. At the end of the war, the [http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBQ4M_World_War_II_POW_Camp_Orem_Utah German POWs] were released and the former prisoner-of –war camp became home for Mexican nationals looking for work in the farming community. This camp was dismantled in 1970.

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[[Image:Orem panoramic view.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Orem panoramic view.jpg]] {{Wikipedia|Orem, Utah}}Orem was once called the [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html Provo Bench]. Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountain range, Orem and several of it's neighboring communities constitute a community referred to as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Valley Utah Valley]. <br> Provo and Orem’s early history are intertwined. Attempts were made to settle Orem in the 1850’s but lack of water slowed down it’s growth. <ref> [http://www.orem.org/historical-sites-mainmenu-347 Orem History] </ref> After a series of canals were made, the area became populated with many fertile fruit orchards and farmlands giving the Provo Bench the early reputation as the [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html “Garden City Of Utah”]. Homesteads settled along the territorial highway which is now State Street. Instead of the grid system for laying out a city as was popular in Utah, the roads crisscrossed the rural area connecting the farms, homes and orchards. <ref> [http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/o/OREM.html “Garden City Of Utah”] </ref> A railroad line was built through the Provo Bench by Walter C. Orem. To honor him the community was named “Orem” and incorporated on May 5, 1919. With WII came the call for steel and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Steel Geneva Steel] was there to fill that need.

In 1943, the Utah Farm Labor Association in cooperation with the State of Utah built a [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/image_2ae9e4d3-60be-5fb1-a355-1d290e73cd8b.html labor camp] at a five acre cite. The first occupants of the camp displaced Japanese-Americans from the [http://www.topazmuseum.org/ Topaz Relocation Camp]. They were employed in farmers in Orem and Utah County. The fall of 1944 brought in 60 Italian Prisoners of war. They built on the labor camp and worked in the local farms. They were all eventually replaced with [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/article_359b9979-cc1e-5cd7-8fba-c68089502c8a.html 340 German prisoners of war] who continued to work for the farmers. At the end of the war, the [http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBQ4M_World_War_II_POW_Camp_Orem_Utah German POWs] were released and the former prisoner-of –war camp became home for Mexican nationals looking for work in the farming community. This camp was dismantled in 1970. Orem grew in the 1970's with the University Mall and eventually [http://www.uvu.edu/ Utah Valley University] "UVU".

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===Neighboring Communities===

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*Orem boarders Utah lake and [[Vineyard, Utah|Vineyard]] to the west and the majestic Timpanogos mountains on the northeast. Timpanogos, an Indian name given to the mountain and the entire valley, means many waters. [[Provo, Utah|Provo]] spreads over the valley to the south and the small town of [[Lindon, Utah|Lindon]] nestles into the North. <ref> [http://history.utah.gov/apps/markers/detailed_results.php?markerid=1554 First Orem Chapel] </ref>

[[Image:Orem with timp in background.jpg|thumb|right|380px|Orem with timp in background.jpg]] <br>

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*Orem borders Utah lake and [[Vineyard, Utah|Vineyard]] to the west and the majestic Timpanogos mountains on the northeast. Timpanogos, an Indian name given to the mountain and the entire valley, means many waters. [[Provo, Utah|Provo]] spreads over the valley to the south and the small town of [[Lindon, Utah|Lindon]] nestles into the North. <ref> [http://history.utah.gov/apps/markers/detailed_results.php?markerid=1554 First Orem Chapel] </ref>

References are made in histories to the neighborhood that the person lived in. Provo and Orem's boundary lines can seem confusing. Using the neighborhood can better pinpoint the location of an ancestor.

References are made in histories to the neighborhood that the person lived in. Provo and Orem's boundary lines can seem confusing. Using the neighborhood can better pinpoint the location of an ancestor.

*''Pioneers and prominent men of Utah: comprised of photographs, genealogies, biographies, the early history of the LDS Church ''<ref>{{FHL|180494|title-id|disp="FHLC Book 979.2 D3e"}} (Salt Lake City, Utah : Western Epics, 1966). <br> Vol. 1 part 1 ([http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/FH33&CISOPTR=49769 Family History Archives])<br>Vol. 1 part 2 ([http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/FH33&CISOPTR=49769 Family History Archives]) </ref>

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*[http://lib.byu.edu/sites/sc/ Personal History Collections]

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*''Pioneers and prominent men of Utah: comprised of photographs, genealogies, biographies, the early history of the LDS Church ''<ref>{{FHL|101370|title-id|disp="FHLC Book 979.2 D3e"}} (Salt Lake City, Utah : Western Epics, 1966). Vol. 1 part 1 ({{FSbook|84665}} )Vol. 1 part 2 ({{FSbook|56199}}) </ref>

Provo City Library owns microfilmed copies of the newspaper dating back to 1888 (with some years and issues missing for the first forty years). Check the obituary index for you ancestor, the papers can be found at the Provo City Library. Information on requesting an obituary can be found on this [http://www.provolibrary.com/interlibrary-loan#obit Provo City Library site.]

More information about cemeteries can be found at [[Utah Cemeteries]].

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==== Obituaries ====

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Provo City Library owns microfilmed copies of the newspaper dating back to 1888 (with some years and issues missing for the first forty years). Check the obituary index for you ancestor, the papers can be found at the Provo City Library. Information on requesting an obituary can be found on this [http://www.provolibrary.com/interlibrary-loan#obit Provo City Library site.]

To know the history of Orem you need to research Provo. Known as Provo's Bench, Orem's early history is one with Provo's. The Provo City Library has a rich selection of items pertaining to the City's history.

To know the history of Orem you need to research Provo. Known as Provo's Bench, Orem's early history is one with Provo's. The Provo City Library has a rich selection of items pertaining to the City's history.

*[http://historytogo.utah.gov/places/olympic_locations/historyofprovo.html Provo-History on the Go]

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*''A Historical Study of the Exploration of Utah Valley and the Story of Fort Utah'' <ref> Colton, Ray C. (1946),[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/MTAF&CISOPTR=24570&CISOSHOW=21917 ''A Historical Study of the Exploration of Utah Valley and the Story of Fort Utah''], Master's thesis, Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.</ref>

*''Founding Fort Utah: Provo's Native Inhabitants, Early Explorers, and First Year of Settlement'' <ref> Carter, D. Robert (2003), ''Founding Fort Utah: Provo's Native Inhabitants, Early Explorers, and First Year of Settlement'', Provo, UT: Provo City Corporation, {{WorldCat|54094655}} {{FHL|979.224/P1 H2}} </ref>

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*''A Historical Study of the Exploration of Utah Valley and the Story of Fort Utah'' <ref> Colton, Ray C. (1946),[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/MTAF/id/24570/show/21917 ''A Historical Study of the Exploration of Utah Valley and the Story of Fort Utah''], Master's thesis, Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.</ref>

*''Memories That Live: A Centennial History of Utah County'' <ref> Memories That Live: A Centennial History of Utah County (Springville: Art City Publishing, 1947) {{FHL| 979.224 H2d}} {{WorldCat|498809323}} [http://www.provolibrary.com/contact-us Provo City Library] </ref>

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*''Memories That Live: A Centennial History of Utah County'' <ref> Memories That Live: A Centennial History of Utah County (Springville: Art City Publishing, 1947) {{FHL| 979.224 H2d}} {{WorldCat|498809323}} [http://www.provolibrary.com/contact-us Provo City Library] </ref>

*[http://www.provolibrary.com/historical-utah-county-newspapers Provo Historical Newspapers] has a list of different newspapers held by the Provo City Library. The newspapers are on microfilm from the various eras for Provo's history.

*[http://www.provolibrary.com/historical-utah-county-newspapers Provo Historical Newspapers] has a list of different newspapers held by the Provo City Library. The newspapers are on microfilm from the various eras for Provo's history.

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[[File:Harold B Lee Library at Dusk.jpg|thumb|right|400px]]

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*[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86091047/holdings/ Orem Geneva Times] started in 1932 The Orem Geneva Times ceased publishing in 2009.

*[http://www.provolibrary.com/contact-us Provo City Library]<br>550 North University Avenue<br>Provo, Utah 84601<br>Phone: 801-852-6650<br> Provo contains a wealth of information pertaining to Orem and it's history.

*[http://www.provolibrary.com/contact-us Provo City Library]<br>550 North University Avenue<br>Provo, Utah 84601<br>Phone: 801-852-6650<br> Provo contains a wealth of information pertaining to Orem and it's history.

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1747615 Utah Death Index 1905-1951]<br>Hint Keyword: enter the year of death and enter the name of county if known.

*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1747615 Utah Death Index 1905-1951]<br>Hint Keyword: enter the year of death and enter the name of county if known.

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*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/12025351 Social Security Death Index], begins in about 1962 and is current to within two months.

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*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/12025351 Social Security Death Index], begins in about 1962 and is current to within two months.

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*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1675547 Utah Death Record 1888-1946].

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*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1675547 Utah Death Record 1888-1946].

*[http://www.archives.utah.gov/research/indexes/20842.htm Utah Department of Archives] 1903 to 50 years ago <br>Choices of search types - name, date of death (year, month, day, or any combination) and county.<br>Images of actual death certificates

*[http://www.archives.utah.gov/research/indexes/20842.htm Utah Department of Archives] 1903 to 50 years ago <br>Choices of search types - name, date of death (year, month, day, or any combination) and county.<br>Images of actual death certificates

Quick History

Orem was once called the Provo Bench. Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountain range, Orem and several of it's neighboring communities constitute a community referred to as Utah Valley. Provo and Orem’s early history are intertwined. Attempts were made to settle Orem in the 1850’s but lack of water slowed down it’s growth. [1] After a series of canals were made, the area became populated with many fertile fruit orchards and farmlands giving the Provo Bench the early reputation as the “Garden City Of Utah”. Homesteads settled along the territorial highway which is now State Street. Instead of the grid system for laying out a city as was popular in Utah, the roads crisscrossed the rural area connecting the farms, homes and orchards. [2] A railroad line was built through the Provo Bench by Walter C. Orem. To honor him the community was named “Orem” and incorporated on May 5, 1919. With WII came the call for steel and Geneva Steel was there to fill that need.

In 1943, the Utah Farm Labor Association in cooperation with the State of Utah built a labor camp at a five acre cite. The first occupants of the camp displaced Japanese-Americans from the Topaz Relocation Camp. They were employed in farmers in Orem and Utah County. The fall of 1944 brought in 60 Italian Prisoners of war. They built on the labor camp and worked in the local farms. They were all eventually replaced with 340 German prisoners of war who continued to work for the farmers. At the end of the war, the German POWs were released and the former prisoner-of –war camp became home for Mexican nationals looking for work in the farming community. This camp was dismantled in 1970. Orem grew in the 1970's with the University Mall and eventually Utah Valley University "UVU".

City Hall

Neighboring Communities

Orem with timp in background.jpg

Orem borders Utah lake and Vineyard to the west and the majestic Timpanogos mountains on the northeast. Timpanogos, an Indian name given to the mountain and the entire valley, means many waters. Provo spreads over the valley to the south and the small town of Lindon nestles into the North. [3]

Orem Neighborhoods

References are made in histories to the neighborhood that the person lived in. Provo and Orem's boundary lines can seem confusing. Using the neighborhood can better pinpoint the location of an ancestor.

Obituaries

Provo City Library owns microfilmed copies of the newspaper dating back to 1888 (with some years and issues missing for the first forty years). Check the obituary index for you ancestor, the papers can be found at the Provo City Library. Information on requesting an obituary can be found on this Provo City Library site.

Directories

History

To know the history of Orem you need to research Provo. Known as Provo's Bench, Orem's early history is one with Provo's. The Provo City Library has a rich selection of items pertaining to the City's history.

Original and native pioneer histories, camp history, locality history, camp Orem[23] Contains history and church history of Orem; history of Camp Orem, Daughters of Utah Pioneers; history of early Orem schools; biographies of pioneers, members of the LDS Church.